Page 7 - ALG Issue 2 2017

fromthepresident... elect!
Why I have applied for the post of President of our organisation, the NAS.
Many members will already know me because I take an active role in promoting our activity of allotment gardening through my articles published in this magazine and other media outlets. I also regularly attend our AGMs and participate in many other allotment related organisations.
My interest in growing and allotments is deep-seated and goes way back to when I used to help my Dad on his allotment. I also spent much of my teenage years helping and working on local farms.
This growing theme continued in my early career as I spent 12 years in agriculture and a further 4 years tending to the grounds of two universities in Leeds.
The remainder of my career was spent in plumbing and heating whilst gaining further quali cations. I progressed from there nally into teaching Design and Technology up to A level in secondary schools.
21 years ago, during my teaching
career, I got back into growing on my own allotment and I became a member of the NSALG. It wasn’t long after that, through my enthusiasm. that I was offered the post of Secretary on this rather neglected and overgrown site. I strongly in uenced the turnaround of this site into a productive one with a large waiting list. I spent ve years lobbying for an extension to the site, which we achieved in 2009. We also have a very
active committee now running the site very smoothly.
On behalf of our site I attended the Leeds & District Allotment Gardeners Federation (LDAGF) in 1998 and subsequently became very actively involved. I have held the position of Vice Chairman and Publicity Of cer, a
post I still hold today, and I am still actively involved in the running of this organisation.
I attended the Yorkshire Allotment Gardeners Federation (YAGF) (the regional body of the NAS) meetings on behalf of the LDAFG and was elected as Chairman in 2013, a post I still hold
today.
my time promoting the bene ts of allotments and still do today through local ower and agricultural shows, TV, radio, talks and slide shows, magazines, newspapers, facebook and twitter. Throughout this time I have promoted the NAS at all these events.
Following the huge successes at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show, Chelsea Flower Show, Great Yorkshire Show and the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show designing and creating allotment show gardens and winning silver and gold medals culminating in the highest accolade of ‘Best in Show’, I am
I have put an awful
lot of positive input into
the allotment movement
as one of the founder
Mentors with the Allotment
Regeneration Initiative/
Allotment Development
Initiative from 2002. I enjoyed my time with the ARI immensely. It was an extremely ef cient and effective organisation offering the rst real funding to the regeneration of allotments. I spent some very busy years offering advice to plot holders, councillors alike and helping to start many new allotment associations and allotment sites.
Although publicity was not a high priority within the ARI I considered it very important for the promotion and development of the allotment movement. I have spent much of
I shall always give 100% to whatever I do and as your President I will continue to do so
nally stepping down from this role.
In 2009 I was awarded the Jim Tandy award for my input into the allotment movement by the NAS.
In 2015 I was awarded a certi cate of commendation for my
efforts in the promotion of allotments from the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
I consider it an even greater honour to be nominated for the role of President.
I shall always give 100% to whatever I do and as your President I will continue to do so, both towards the development of our organisation and the PROTECTION, PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION of our wonderful allotments.
Phil Gomersall, President Elect
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